About Feline Diabetes in Older Cats

Feline diabetes can happen in cats of any age, but is especially common in male cats over 10 years old. It is also particularly common in those that are older and overweight. While diabetes in humans can be hereditary, in cats is mostly a result of the pancreas not working properly and producing either too little or no insulin.

  1. Causes

    • As the production of insulin goes down, the body is no longer able to transform glucose (blood sugar) into energy. This causes the sugar to accumulate and eventually be excreted in the urine. Other common causes of diabetes in cats include obesity, hyperthyroidism and the use of certain drugs like corticosteroids on a regular basis.

    Features

    • There are four common signs of diabetes in older cats. Peaks of glucose cause excessive hunger and thirst, which means the animal would be eating and drinking a lot more than normal. However, because the body is no longer able to use glucose for energy, it will eventually end up burning fat for that purpose. The cat willl lose weight despite the extra food being consumed. Finally, because of the increased drinking and glucose's effect on the urinary system, cats with diabetes will be using the litter box a lot more frequently than normal.

    Identification

    • In cats, diabetes is often diagnosed by simple observation of symptoms. It is then confirmed by a blood test. Other common signs of the illness include a dull coat, lethargy, mood changes and weakness in the back legs.

    Effects

    • Cats that develop diabetes will either be insulin-dependent (IDDM) or non-insulin dependent (NIDDM). Most cats will require insulin, and even those that start as non-insulin dependent eventually move on to the other category. In most cases, insulin is administered through injections, although some cats seem to respond well to oral medications. In more severe cases, older cats with diabetes may require fluid therapy.

    Expert Insight

    • Dietary changes are essential to help an older cat deal with diabetes. As a first step, the diabetic cat will need to lose weight if obesity is a problem. This can be done by switching to a high-fiber, low-carbohydrate diet. On the other hand, cats that have lost a lot of weight will need a richer, more nutritious diet to reach their optimal body weight. A feeding schedule, rather than allowing the cat to free-feed throughout the day, may also help control peaks of blood sugar.